India’s women face an uphill task in defending their title at the Badminton Asia Team Championships, which begins in Qingdao, China, on Tuesday, following the withdrawal of talisman PV Sindhu. In contrast, the men’s team will bank on a battle-hardened core as it looks to push for a podium finish at the biennial continental event.
The Indian women had scripted history in the previous edition in Malaysia by clinching their maiden team gold. However, Sindhu’s absence this time, owing to a niggle, has significantly dented their chances. The two-time Olympic medallist has long been the backbone of India’s women’s team in major tournaments, and her unavailability places the spotlight firmly on a young and relatively inexperienced squad.
The onus will now fall on 17-year-old Tanvi Sharma, who leads the women’s singles group. Tanvi was part of the gold-winning team in 2024 but did not get a match then. Since that triumph, the Punjab shuttler has emerged as one of India’s most promising prospects, highlighted by a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Guwahati and a runner-up finish at the US Open Super 300. Her competitive outings against World No. 2 Wang Zhi Yi and World No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki this season have underlined her growing confidence at the elite level.
Eighteen-year-old Unnati Hooda also arrives in strong form after a productive 2025 season that saw her climb to a career-best world ranking of No. 23. She registered a notable win over Sindhu at the China Open and ended the year with the Odisha Masters title, further strengthening India’s singles depth. Malvika Bansod and Rakshitha Sree Santhosh Ramraj will handle the remaining singles duties, while Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Gayatri Gopichand and Treesa Jolly spearhead the doubles challenge.
India will open its women’s campaign against Myanmar before taking on Thailand in Group Y.
The men’s team, bronze medallists in 2016 and 2020, appears better placed. Retaining the core that won the historic Thomas Cup gold in 2022, India will rely on Lakshya Sen, former world No. 1 Kidambi Srikanth, and experienced HS Prannoy in singles. In doubles, much will depend on former world No. 1 pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
Drawn in Group C, the men begin against Singapore before facing a sterner test against Japan. With the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals, India’s women will aim to overcome Sindhu’s absence, while the men look to translate experience into another strong continental showing.
